To Live Forever - Which demo/studio version do you like better?

Started by KevShmev, June 25, 2013, 11:15:15 AM

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Which version do you prefer?

'91 demo
25 (58.1%)
'94 demo
18 (41.9%)

Total Members Voted: 43

KevShmev

Of the two demo versions, which one do you like better?  I just listened to both, and I think the '91 version is vastly superior.  The keys are more up front, and Petrucci's playing during the breaks is just better.

JRuivo

The '94 version is my 2nd most played DT track (after Innocence Faded). That pretty much sums it up :metal I love the U2 influences on both To Live Forever and Lifting Shadows off a Dream, 2 of my favourite DT ballads ever.

?

'94 version easily, because it has the final verse with KM's lyrics, the Awake production and a better guitar solo. Besides, I think the melody before the final verse sounds better when it's a unison and the slightly slower tempo fits the song better.

KevShmev

See, I think the slower tempo makes it feel too plodding.  I agree that the solo is probably better, and the last verse is nice, but a lot of the little things in the '91 version are just much better, IMO. And JLB sounds much better in the older version.

Unlegit

Although James is better on the '91 demo, I prefer the '94 slightly.

Infinite Cactus


wasteland

I really like the added 1994 verse, but the original 91 has an edge for me. The seminal 1991 demo with James LaBrie (not the one that ended up on COTC) is probably my favourite working version of any song. :)

KevShmev


hefdaddy42

I can't choose.  I like different things about each one.
Quote from: BlobVanDam on December 11, 2014, 08:19:46 PMHef is right on all things. Except for when I disagree with him. In which case he's probably still right.

Madman Shepherd

I went with '91 but I think the WDADRU version with James & Charlie trumps both

Ben_Jamin

Quote from: Madman Shepherd on June 27, 2013, 08:55:41 PM
I went with '91 but I think the WDADRU version with James & Charlie trumps both

I agree with the WDADR version. Charlies vocals really fit that song well

Lolzeez

Quote from: ? on June 25, 2013, 11:25:10 AM
'94 version easily, because it has the final verse with KM's lyrics, the Awake production and a better guitar solo. Besides, I think the melody before the final verse sounds better when it's a unison and the slightly slower tempo fits the song better.

Jaffa

I voted for '94 because I was confused about which one was which.  I would change my vote if I could.  The '91 version is superior. 

cramx3


hefdaddy42

Quote from: BlobVanDam on December 11, 2014, 08:19:46 PMHef is right on all things. Except for when I disagree with him. In which case he's probably still right.

wasteland


TAC

As big of Dream Theater fan as I am, I couldn't possibly begin to tell you the difference between ANY of the TLF versions. It's just a song that I really find pretty boring and my ears kind of glaze over whenever I hear it.

That said, I LOVE the version on the Wallingford, CT 3-30-04 boot.
Quote from: wkiml on June 08, 2012, 09:06:35 AMwould have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Quote from: Stadler on February 08, 2025, 12:49:43 PMI wouldn't argue this.

wasteland

Quote from: TAC on July 01, 2013, 07:28:46 AM
As big of Dream Theater fan as I am, I couldn't possibly begin to tell you the difference between ANY of the TLF versions. It's just a song that I really find pretty boring and my ears kind of glaze over whenever I hear it.

That said, I LOVE the version on the Wallingford, CT 3-30-04 boot.

You know very well that I am the one who will always agree on that point!

I already posted it more than once, but for reference, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VddMqW-I44

ZirconBlue

Quote from: Jaffa on June 29, 2013, 04:43:06 PM
I voted for '94 because I was confused about which one was which.  I would change my vote if I could.  The '91 version is superior.


I was going to vote '94, but, instead I'll vote '91 to correct your misvote.

Jaffa


bosk1

I've always enjoyed the song, but I have to confess:  I haven't listened to it enough that I could even tell you the difference between the '91 version and the '94 version without going back and listening.  In fact, I don't even recall where the '94 version comes from.  Can someone do a quick list of all the different version of the song and where they are found?  (e.g., I know there is a version with Charlie, 2 different vocalist audition version and James' Atco Demos verseion on the Images & Words Demos, the live version with James and Charlie on WDADRU, etc.)  If someone could compile that, I would appreciate it.

Jaffa

I would also appreciate such a list.

(In fact, I think bosk might be asking for it on my behalf.  I can't be sure about that, though.   :lol)

bosk1


Jaffa

 :tup

Was about to edit my post, but since you posted again, I'll just say it: I don't know where the '94 version originally comes from, but if you're just interested in hearing it, it's the version that appears on Greatest Hit. 

bosk1

I forgot there was a version of the song on Greatest Hit at all.  :lol

wasteland

The '94 version was originally released as the B-Side of the Lie single.

LCArenas

'91. It sounds more original to me, and the KM verse in '94 seems kinda rushed. I don't like it.

Tom Bombadil

I honestly only heard both of these for the first time last week (Thanks DTF!) and they totally blew me away. I personally liked the '91 version more. I think the middle section has so much more power and feel to it. Both are great though